Display device



Feb. 28, 1950 H. H. HUTT 2,498,855

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed March 6, 1947 INVENTOR HER/VH/V H Hurr ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY DEVICE Herman Harry Hutt, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application March 6, 1947, Serial No. 732,907

14 Claims.

This invention relates to display devices for use in displaying advertising literature, as well as articles of merchandise associated with literature in a manner to produce an attractive frame-like display and also to render the articles arranged in the display as substantially pilfer-proof. More particularly, the invention deals with display devices comprising detachably and collapsibly related parts, whereby the entire display can be packed in a relatively small package or where numerous devices may be compactly packed for shipment. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one type of display which I employ, diagrammatically illustrating the method of its use.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of part of the display, as shown in Fig. 1 in collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, diagrammatically illustrating the characterized sheet in its rolled state, prior to assemblage in the display.

Fig. 4 is a partial section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side edge view of a modified form of supporting frame, which I employ, detached.

Fig. 6 is a partial section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the central portion of a modified form of display which I employ and indicating the use thereof; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing another form of supporting frame, only part of the construction being shown and omitting the display card or sheet.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a display device which, basically, comprising a supporting frame and a sheet or strip, detachable with respect to the frame and forming, of the combination, a, frame-like enclosure, wherein the sheet or strip aids in holding the frame parts in assembled and extended position. Further, it is preferred that the sheet or strip be composed of transparent or translucent materials, lithographed or characterized in any desired manner and so as to display, within the frame and rearwardly of said sheet, articles of merchandise which become part of the complete advertising display. Furthermore, the frame, in combination with the sheet, forms an enclosure 2 guarding the articles, placed on display, from being stolen, particularly when the articles are of a small size.

In Figs. 1-4, inclusive, I have shown one adaptation of my invention, in which the frame, generally identified by the reference character I0, is composed of two similar side members II and I2, joined at the lower portion thereof and adjacent the rear portion by a connecting strip I3, glued, wire-stitched or otherwise secured to inner surfaces of the sides I I and I2, as at I4 and I5, respectively. This construction provides collapsing of the parts II, I2 and I3 in the manner seen in Fig. 2 of the drawing for compact shipment of one or a number of the devices. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the frame parts I I and I2 have upwardly and rearwardly curved walls I6 and I1, terminating in rounded upper ends I8 and I9. Said parts have, adjacent their front edges 20, 2|, apertures 22, 23 conforming generally to the contour of the edges 20, 2| and terminating in round apertures 24, 25 in the rounded upper ends I8 and I9, respectively. At 26 is shown a sheet or strip which may be composed of any desired material. It is preferred, however, that plastic sheetings of transparent and/or translucent properties be employed and these strips or sheets will be lithographed or otherwise characterized with the display or advertising matter which is intended to be displayed in the resulting frame, as will be apparent.

The normal tendencies of the strip or sheet 26, when composed of the plastic materials, referred to and, in fact, when composed of any stiff type of metal, paper-board, is to extend itself into a flat condition; thus, in the use of the display, the sheet is put into a roll, as seen at 21, in Fig. 3 of the drawing, and held in this condition by a securing band, as at 28. It will, thus, be seen that, in the assemblage of the frame-like display device, after the parts II, I2 and I3 are extended into the position shown in Fig. 1, the roll is mounted in the apertures 24 and 25, the band 28 is then removed from the roll 2! and the free edge, as at 28, of the strip or sheet, is moved downwardly through the apertures 22 and 23 until the edge 29 reaches the lower extremity of said apertures. The strip or sheet is made of suflicient length so as to, at all times, leave a partial roll in the apertures 24 and 25, as indicated at 21' in Fig. l of the drawing. This roll acts as a bracing means for the top of the resulting frame, sumcient frictional engagement being maintained by the expansion of the roll 3 into firm engagement with the walls of the apertures 24 and 25.

Considering Fig. l of the drawing, it is also noted that the edge 29 includes an inturned portion 29 for reinforcing and strengthening this edge. This is desirable as and when the sheets or strips '26 are composed of thin material. The thicknesses are exaggerated in the present illustration simply for the sake of clarity.

At this timejitwillalso be understood that any desired contour can be provided in the apertures 22 and 23 so long as the contour is such as to permit passage of the strip or sheet therethrough. In the curvature shown, a frictional engagement is maintained between the sheet and. the walls of these apertures to so 'aid in" holding the frame in the assembled relationship. l These curvatures, or irregularities, will also add to the characteristics of the display.

In Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing, I have shown a slight modification; wherein I have substituted,

for-the'coupling, bracing and spacing member I3, a detachable member 30, end-portions of which are provided adjacent-one side e'dge with notches, as at 3!, note Fig. 6. Hereeach end wall or frame part, similar to the parts H and 42 as, for example, thepart 32-willhave elongated apertures, as at 33 of suificientlength to receive the full'width of the strip w and the notch 3! is adapted to engage the wallstructureofthe frame part 32, as seen at MinFig. 6- of-the drawing. The apertures 33-are preferablydisposed at an inclination, as seen in Fig. 5 'of the drawing. Aside from this change,-the structure of the part '32 and its companion part,"w hich is not'shown; will be the same as-the parts 1 land i2. 'Inother words, an aperturen, similar to the 'apperture 22, is provided in the part 32.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing, I have shown adifferent form of frame comprising similar side parts, one of which is shown at 35, these parts being joined by a strap or band 36 similar to the strap or band [3; the part and its" companion part has a curved, front and upper edge portion, as seen at 3'l'and' terminates in a rounded-member 38 at the upper rear portion thereof, in which is formed an aperture 39 for-the'reception 'of a strip or' similar roll 46. The part 35 has an aperture 4|, substantially paralleling the edge 37 and also extending rearwardly and-upwardly, as seen at 4!, at the lower portion of the'part35. The end Al terminates above and in alinement with the upper edge of the strap or band'36-so that the free, flanged end 42 of thesheet or strip 46 of the roll 49, can engage the strap or band 36in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7. This type-of construction forms a lower kindof display which would be placed in positions where the'front and top of the display Would be visible to the eye.

In Fig. 7, I have indicated, in dot anddash lines at 43, an "article of merchandise or apackage placed on display'and supported primarily by the strap'SB, but which can also rest upon the strip or sheet Ml. In-thisconnection, it will also be apparent that the strap [3 may be used as an article support. On the other hand, articles may be arranged directly upon the counter, table or other surface upon which the display is arranged. With the construction shown in Fig. '7, the strip or sheet ii), in its completely rolled state, is'assembled in theaperture or apertures ofthe frame in the same manner as described in connection with the illustration inFig. 1.

In Fig. 8 of the drawing, Ihav'e'shown a'further modification, wherein 35" represents a frame,

somewhat of the character shown in Fig. '7 and differing therefrom in having an aperture 44 which terminates at the front of the display, near the lower edge thereof, with this construction, instead of employing the strap, as at 36, in Fig. '7, I employ a base or platform sheet 45 which will extend a distance greater than the distance between the proposed spacing of the frame sides, one of which being shown at 35. The base, adjace'ntits" ends,has elongated apertures, as at 46, to receive coupling tongues 47, at the lower a portion of the frame sides, as for example, the

side 35'. Here, the base plate will form the support for the articles which will facilitate removal 1 of the complete unit from a supporting surface "without displacing the articles.

'may'be termed large types of displays.

7 The structure of the device, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, is primarily for what In small displays and where reinforcement is not essential,

the strip or--- sheet itself may be utilized to join the frame sides by-reasonof thefrictional enfgag'ement between the display or advertising sheet and 'said frame sides, as aresult 0f the 'in- 'herent properties of the strip or'shee't to normally extend itself to a flat condition. In'this connection, it will be apparent 'that'the greater the offset or curvature in the apertures in which the strip or sheet is 'arranged ,-the' greater the-stiifness 'or"rigidity to theresulting complete frame ass'emblage In "other words, it maybe said that the strip or sheet tensionall engages theframe partsand this tensional engagement contributes rigidity to the resulting'enclosureor frame.

' For sake of description, the apertures in the respective frame'parts, for example, the aperstrips can be inserted in the frame in periodically changing the displays.

Having fully described my invention, what I claimas newand desire to secure by Letters "Patent is:

1. A display device 'of'the'char'acter described comprising a-pairof side frame parts, each part "having identical= apertures of predetermined irregular curved contour, said apertures terminating, at one common end, in large apertures, a flexible-display sheet having at one end a roll adapted for insertion-in the"large;apertures of said frames, the remainder of the sheet being arranged in the first'namedcurved apertures-and saidsheet frictionally engaging said apertures I in joining said frameparts and spacing said parts 'one from the other.

-- 2. A display device of the character described comprising apair of side-frame parts, each part having identical apertures of predetermined irregular curvedcontour-,-said apertures terminating, at one common-end; in large apertures, a flexible displaysheet having at one end a rolladapted for insertion in the'large apertures of said frames, the remainder of the sheet being arranged in the first-named curved apertures, 'said sheet frictionallyengaging said' ap'ertures'in joining" said frame parts and spacing-said parts one from the other, and means independent of said sheet for bracing and spacing said frame parts.

3. A display device of the? character described comprising a pair of side frame parts, each part having identical apertures of predetermined irregular curved contour, said apertures terminating, at one common end, in large apertures, a flexible display sheet having at one end a roll adapted for insertion in the large apertures of said frames, the remainder of the sheet being arranged in the first named curved apertures, said sheet frictionally engaging said apertures in joining said frame parts and spacing said parts one from the other, means independent of said sheet for bracing and spacing said frame parts, and said means being foldable with respect to the frame parts.

4. A display device of the character described comprising a pair of side frame parts, each part having identical apertures of predetermined irregular curved contour, said apertures terminating, at one common end, in large apertures, a flexible display sheet having at one end a roll adapted for insertion in the large apertures of said frames, the remainder of the sheet being arranged in the first named curved apertures, said sheet frictionally engaging said apertures in joining said frame parts and spacing said parts one from the other, means independent of said sheet for bracing and spacing said frame parts, and said means being detachable with respect to said frame parts.

5. A display device of the character described comprising a pair of side frame parts, each part having identical apertures of predetermined irregular contour, said apertures terminating, at one end, in large apertures, a display sheet assuming a roll adapted for insertion in the large apertures of said frames, one end portion of the sheet being adapted to extend through and be guided by the first named apertures in joining said frame parts and spacing said parts one from the other, means independent of said sheet for bracing and spacing said frame parts, and the free end portion of said sheet having means engaging said last named means.

6. A display device of the class described comprising a pair of similar side frame parts, a sheet having the properties of extending itself to flat condition, means supporting the sheet in rolled condition, said frame parts having large openings for reception of the rolled sheet, and each frame part having alined channels of common contour extending from said openings, whereby said sheet may be unwound from the roll and guided in the frame parts by said channels to form a wall portion joining said frame parts.

7. A display device of the class described comprising a pair of similar side frame parts, a sheet having the properties of extending itself to flat condition, means supporting the sheet in rolled condition, said frame parts having large openings for reception of the rolled sheet, each frame part having alined channels of common contour extending from said openings, whereby said sheet may be unwound from the roll and guided in the frame parts by said channels to form a wall portion joining said frame parts, and means spaced with respect to the apertures of said frame parts for joining and spacing said frame parts.

8. A display device of the class described comprising a pair of similar side frame parts, a sheet having the properties of extending itself to flat condition, means supporting the sheet in rolled condition, said frame parts having large openings for reception of the rolled sheet, each frame part having alined channels of common contour extending from said openings, whereby said sheet may be unwound from the roll and guided in the frame parts by said channels to form a wall portion joining said frame parts, means spaced with respect to the apertures of said frame parts for joining andspacing said frame parts, said sheet being composed of transparent material, and said last named means forming an article support rearwardly of the sheet and visible through said sheet.

9. A display device of the class described comprising a pair of similar side frame parts, a sheet having the properties of extending itself to flat condition, means supporting the sheet in rolled condition, said frame parts having large openings for reception of the'rolled sheet, each frame part having alined channels of common contour extending from said openings, whereby said sheet may be unwound from the roll and guided in the frame parts by said channels to form a wall portion joining said frame parts, means spaced with respect to the apertures of said frame parts for joining and spacing said frame parts, said sheet being composed of transparent material, said last named means forming an article support rearwardly of the sheet and visible through said sheet, the free edge terminating in 'a flange, and said flange engaging said last named means.

10. A display device of the character described comprising a pair of frame parts, said frame parts having common elongated channels of irregular contour, a flexible sheetadapted to be arranged in the channels of the frame parts and flexed to conform with the contour of said channels in support and spacing of the frame parts one with respect to the other, means maintaining one end of the sheet in rolled condition within the frame parts for reinforcing the coupling between the frame parts, and the other end portion of the sheet forming a support for articles to be displayed within the device.

11. A display device of the character described comprising a pair of frame parts, said frame parts having common elongated channels of irregular contour, a flexible sheet adapted to be arranged in the channels of the frame parts and flexed to conform with the contour of said channels in support and spacing of the frame parts one with respect to the other, means maintaining one end of the sheet in rolled condition within the frame parts for reinforcing the coupling between the frame parts, said channels having substantially ing upper portions of the frame parts, said frame parts having common and alined channels of irregular contour, in which side edge portions of the sheet of said roll are adapted to be arranged in further spacing and supporting the frame parts, said sheet being composed of plastic material, and the channels arranging the sheet in the frame parts to form an article supporting portion in the resulting device.

13. A display device of the character described comprising a pair of frame parts, said frame parts --having common elongated channelsef irregular reversely curved contour, aL-flexible sheet'adapted to bearrangeddm and frictionally engaging'the channe1s=of-the frame parts in flexureof the sheettoconform with thementourof "said chan- -ne1s,and frictional engagement ofthe sheet with the channels of said parts*servingio-"couple and spacetheframe partsOne-With respect tothe other.

"145 A 'displaydevi-ce'o f'the character described comprising a pair of frame partsysaid'frameparts having common elongated. channels of irregular reversely curvedcontour, a; flexible sheet adapted to be arranged in and frictiona-lly"engaging'the 'cha'nnels'of the frame parts'in' fiexureof the sheet to conform"with"the contourof said channels,

frictional engagement of;the sheet-with theehannels of said pants serving -to colipleandwpacethe frame =parts-one-with respect to thee-other, and means maintaining one-end of the sheet: in rolled "conditiomwithim the frame: parts fonreinforcing "themoupli-ng between the frame parts.

elite ofithis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS "Number Name 'Daite 466,926 *"B'aitlett Jan. -12,- 1892 2','224';586 Abbott et al "Dec'.'10, 1940 

